Budget ‘Grand Bargain’ Shaping Up in Springfield

The Illinois State Capitol (Meagan Davis / Wikimedia Commons). Inset: Senate President John Cullerton, Republican Leader Christine Radogno.The Illinois State Capitol (Meagan Davis / Wikimedia Commons). Inset: Senate President John Cullerton, Republican Leader Christine Radogno.

After nearly two years of budget gridlock, spiraling deficits and political acrimony in Springfield, a grand bargain is on the table.

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Though it could see changes, as of Friday the package included some of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s agenda items, such as making Illinois’ workers’ compensation system more friendly to business and a significantly scaled-back version of his call for term limits. It also calls for a higher income tax, changes to state employee pensions, casino expansion and a higher minimum wage.

The possible grand bargain is the result of talks between the two Senate leaders, Senate President John Cullerton and Republican Leader Christine Radogno.

A source close to negotiations said the tentative deal came about out of frustration with both the governor and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan.

The deal was first alluded to Thursday by Capitol Fax.

“Cullerton and Radogno just decided they were going to do it. … It has bipartisan support. … It’s a real comprehensive plan,” the source said.

Friday morning on WGN-Radio, Rauner said he’s “heartened” by news of the talks.

“That’s a good sign,” he said. “I don’t know the details and I don’t want to get in the middle of it. But I’m glad there’s bipartisan negotiation. Hopefully that will lead somewhere.”

Many of the details are still in flux, according to the source, and no bills have been filed yet.

“I’m glad there’s bipartisan negotiation. Hopefully that will lead somewhere.”

–Gov. Bruce Rauner


Secrecy surrounding the deal could be a sign that the leaders are serious about moving it, but it is also a sign of the tenuous nature of deals in what has become Springfield’s toxic partisan climate.

A Radogno spokesperson also sought to downplay talks of a deal.

“Radogno and Cullerton are always talking,” said Patty Schuh. “It would be news if they weren't taking.”

As of now, the deal is said to include:

Taxes

• An increase in the personal income tax rate from 3.75 percent to 4.95 percent

• A broadening of the sales tax to include services that are currently exempt

• A tax on sweetened beverages

• Closing some corporate exemptions

• Eliminating the corporate franchise tax

• Increase in the earned income tax credit for low-income individuals

• A two-year freeze on all local property taxes

Gaming

• Adding five new casinos statewide, including one in Chicago where the revenue would be split between the city and state

• The other casinos would be slotted for Danville, the south suburbs, Lake County and Rockford

Pensions

• A concept put forth by Cullerton that offers state employees a choice between accepting reductions to cost-of-living raises in retirement in exchange for a higher future pensionable salary

• The pension plan would also apply to the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund

• AFSCME workers are likely to be exempt from the bill while contract negotiations with the state are ongoing and under legal scrutiny

• Elimination of pensions for future state legislators

• $215 million in state money to Chicago Public Schools to cover a portion of teachers’ pension costs

Turnaround Agenda

• Changes in law that will lead to reductions in businesses’ workers’ compensation costs

• A two-term limit on senators serving as president or minority leader

• Two-year property tax freeze for all local governments

• Local government consolidation

• Mandate relief for schools, including for physical education and driver’s education

The legislature returns to action Monday, where there is a brief two-and-a-half day lame duck session before the new General Assembly is sworn in on Wednesday. The source says the Senate could begin voting on the package Monday, putting the pressure on House Speaker Michael Madigan and the rest of his chamber to follow suit. Madigan and Rauner have been vehemently at odds, with Madigan refusing to pair the budget with Rauner’s demands. By bringing in revenue, this package would begin to tackle the state’s fiscal issues while also giving the governor a victory as he prepares for his 2018 re-election bid.

Madigan spokesman Steve Brown downplayed the possibilities of an immediate deal, and added that Madigan has long been open to working with the governor.

Brown says he has read accounts of terms of a deal, but as far as he is aware, “none of that has any basis in fact.”

Follow us on Twitter: @paschutz | @AmandaVinicky | @WTTW


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